A federal jury has convicted James Cloud, 37, of White Swan, Washington, on four counts of First Degree Murder. The jury also returned guilty verdicts against James Cloud for Carjacking, two counts of Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, Kidnapping a Minor, Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, and three counts of Discharging a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
The jury heard and considered more than a week of testimony and evidence in Spokane before returning guilty verdicts on the day after closing arguments. The evidence showed that on June 8, 2019, James Cloud was involved in multiple murders, and that after committing the murders, he approached a residence, held a person at gunpoint, carjacked a vehicle, and fled from the crime scenes.
Another enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, Donovan Cloud, 35, of Lyle, Washington, was also charged in some of the underlying conduct. Donovan Cloud pleaded guilty on the same day the jury rendered its verdicts in James Cloud’s case. Donovan Cloud pleaded guilty to Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.
James Cloud faces a potential life sentence, while Donovan Cloud faces a range of approximately 22-27 years in custody under the advisory federal Sentencing Guidelines. Both sentencing hearings are set for July 26, 2022, in Yakima, Washington, before United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref commended the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors who worked for years to bring justice to the victims of Cloud’s crimes.
No community should have to live in fear of the type of heinous acts perpetrated by James Cloud and Donovan Cloud. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Yakama Nation Tribal Police, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Tom Hanlon and Rick Burson, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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